- U.S.-affiliated deals also led M&A activity with 17 deals worth more than $50 million, totaling $5.9 billion, and comprising over half of total deal volume and value.
- Strategic investors continued to dominate deal activity, contributing 72 percent of deals worth more than $50 million.
- The industrial machinery sector led activity by contributing 52 percent of deals, followed by fabricated metal products, and electronic and electrical equipment.
"Optimism around a manufacturing renaissance in the U.S. and the continuing trend of consolidation in mature markets are among the factors driving the robust activity in the U.S.," said Barry Misthal, PwC's global industrial manufacturing leader.
In a recent survey of executives at large, multinational U.S. industrial manufacturing companies, PwC found that 62 percent of respondents expect to participate in new business initiatives, he added, with 35 percent planning merger and acquisition activity over the next 12 months. "Of that number, all are looking at purchasing another business, demonstrating that U.S. industrial manufacturers are looking to M&A to drive revenues and offset any weaknesses in organic growth."